Alex Massie

Tim Montgomerie says it's "time to stop apologising for being Conservative" and calls for an end to this Red Tory nonsense and, instead, a return to "red-meat Toryism". As a committed Conservative it's not too surprising that Montgomerie thinks this is the way to stabilise a wobbly Tory campaign. The base always thinks the problem is that the party has strayed too far from orthodoxy. (This is true of almost all political parties). It's a perfectly respectable point of view that is also, I suggest, perfectly mistaken. Apart from anything else such a strategy - banging on about europe*, crime and immigration - would delight Labour.

Sadly this is a safe Republican seat so Ms Rogers won't be going to Washington any time soon. Still - memo to David Cameron - this is what you can get when you have real* open primaries. Anyway, we've been rumbled! The victory in the 22nd Congressional District yesterday by LaRouche Democrat Kesha Rogers sent an unmistakable message to the White House, and its British imperial controllers: Your days are numbered.

Frankly, one would be disappointed if this sort of caper weren't being run in Donegal: A 72-year-old Donegal man who denied running an illegal public bar in his shed, has been acquitted of two charges brought against him by the County Council under planning regulations. Patsy Brogan said the bar, which has become known as The Bog Hotel near Frosses, is for private use, and while he welcomes callers, he insists he does not charge for drink. At Donegal District Court today Judge Kevin Kilraine said there was no evidence anybody was being charged money at the bar. He said the shed had been converted to look like a bar and lounge and added ‘he just might like the idea of looking at it as a bar and lounge, many people have bars with bar stools in the basements of their homes.

Bagehot of the Economist is beginning to have some doubts about the Obama administration: I have hesitated to read drastic slights into the sometimes awkward diplomacy between Barack Obama and Gordon Brown. But this stance on the Falklands cannot be seen any other way. It really is no way for the Americans to treat their most important military ally—as some in America doubtless appreciate. What stance? Well Hillary Clinton has been visiting Argentina and was asked about the status of the Falklands. Here's what she had to say: And we agree [with Argentina]. We would like to see Argentina and the United Kingdom sit down and resolve the issues between them across the table in a peaceful, productive way.

Ah, the glories of the endless contest between hacks and PR flacks. Pretty mch every journalist will enjoy this, I think. This is a very true: "I will honor the embargo for the rest of my life because I have no intention of writing about it." [Hat-tip Media Bistro and SA and SM via Twitter. My Twitter feed is here.